Stoke City is encouraged to complete the "valuable" trade to Sheffield Wednesday.

 

A number of Championship teams are keeping an eye on Barry Bannan's Sheffield Wednesday contract status, including Stoke City. The 35-year-old's current contract ends on June 30th, and no renewal has been agreed to.

The midfielder, who has been in charge of the Owls' midfield engine room for more than a decade, is usually the first player that comes to mind when someone thinks about Sheffield Wednesday.


With only a few days remaining until his current contract ends, the Wednesday club captain has yet to sign a contract extension because of the Yorkshire club's continuous financial difficulties.

According to Fraser Fletcher via X, a number of Championship teams, including Stoke, are keeping an eye on Bannan's status in an attempt to persuade him to make a transfer towards the end of his career.

The expertise of Barry Bannan would be "valuable" for Stoke City.

Football League World chatted with resident Stoke expert Sam Harrison after it was announced that the Potters were interested in acquiring the veteran midfielder. They wanted to know what Harrison felt about a possible move for Bannan and what he might do.

Harrison responded: "I believe that Barry Bannan would be a useful experience, if you will, and I believe that he contributes both on and off the pitch.


"You consider the players Stoke lost, such Enda Stevens and Lyndon Gooch, who were let go and who gave up their priceless Championship experience.

"There would have undoubtedly been leaders, seasoned players who knew what to do in that locker room, and I believe Stoke has a young team that lacks the experience of players like Barry Bannan.

"Having him assist and mentor the young men coming through in the dressing room. It is, in my opinion, valuable and the foundation of a successful team.

When you consider Sunderland, who have the youngest average-aged squad and were promoted, you can see that some of the personalities there have excellent Championship experience that they have aided and passed on.


"I think that's what he'd bring to the table, and I think it's also one where, in the midfield, you feel Stoke are going to have a good midfield if we can keep hold of the likes of Wouter Burger," Sam said.

What Bannan may do as a player for Stoke City

Sam continued by talking about the kind of role the 35-year-old would play on the pitch if he were to join Mark Robins' team for the upcoming campaign.

"I think Barry Bannan isn't going to be a definite starter, but he's going to be someone who can help you in games, knows exactly how to work it, and I think something that Stoke struggle with is playing out the game and doing the right thing - Bannan is one of them," he stated.


"You don't mind him at all while he's playing for you, but you can't tolerate him when he's against you.

"Obviously, everything depends on how [long] the contract is, but if it's a year, I believe that's reasonable.

"At the end of the day, he's a solid footballer, and I think that he's one that if some Stoke fans aren't sure on him, he'll be able to prove that he still can do it at 35," he said.

Although ageing tends to deter fans from signing, Bannan has kept reversing the years, and there are no signs that this trend will end. If he were available for free, the Potters would be wise to sign him because of his experience.

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